Quick action c-clamp



Dec. 13, 1949 A, M SASGEN 2,490,923

QUICK ACTION C -CLAMP original Filed Jan. 15, 1945 Patented Dec. 13, 1949 UNITED STATES .OFFIC'E 472,443. Divided and this 20, 1945,Serial No. 573,677

.Pelisaiien January 2 Claims.- (Cl- .1e-7.3.9.5)

kThis application is a division of my, copending application Serial No. u472,443, filed` January .15, 9.43, and now issued vas Ratent No. 2,374,899.

A-This invention relates to clamps and more particularly to workfholding clamps which may be used either. as a 'fastening means, to clamp work to a supporting member, or as a vise,.to clamp work directly between the jaws thereof.

:For the most part, the clamps heretofore known are rather cumbersome and diflicult to manipulate so that an operator, in placing and securing the clamp in position is ofttimes required to use both hands. In some cases, dueto the nature of the work to be held or the conditions underlwhich the `work is being performed, itis often diiiicult, if vnot impossible, .for a workman to have two hands free to manipulate the clamping device v and, as a result, where the old clamping devices have been used, it Vhas been diiiicult to electively use such devices.

l"Therefore, it is an object ofumyinvention to aord a clamp which may be easily manipulated with one hand to secure the work in position.'V

Another object of the invention is to afford a new and .improved work-holding clamp which may be made Alargely from relatively inexpensive structural elements or parts vsuch as metal stampings. i

lAn additional object of the invention is to aord a work-holding clamp embodying a novel arrangement of levers for manipulating -one `of the clamping jaws into operative engagement with the work.

`A further object of the invention is to afford a work-holding clamp embodying a novel arrangement o f levers for manipulatingone of the clamping jaws into operative engagementwith the-work and which clamp embodies novel means for adjusting said one of said jaws relative to the other clamping jaw embodied in the clamp.

Still another object of the invention .is Afto afford, in one Vembodiment of the invention,v a novel ,manually operable latching .device `for latching engagement with and control Eof the movement of an adfustable screw which supports one ofthe clamping jaws embodied in the device.

[A further vobject of the invention isf-to afford, in one embodiment thereof, a novel .combination supporting `arm and able clamping screw which supports one of the clamping jaws -embodied in the-device.

An vvadditional object of lthe invention :is to afond.- ,in one cmbQdment-th creci.: a;.clamp em.- bodying a pivoted clamping jaw having a novel,

guide sleeve Vfor the adjusteiiicient .and relatively large and eiective bear- ,ing surfacefforsengagementwith the work.

`Further-ob.i.ec.ts,.of my invention are to aiord a glamp-,wvhezzeina strong grip may be hadon a piece .of work byproperladjustment of a pivoted membereand toja'iolda clamp wherein the grip thereofpnfa fpieceof .workfmay be easily( and quickly released.

Other .and -zfurther objects .of the .present inventonwil-lfbe apparent from thefollowin'g description-and-claims andare illustrated in the accompanying @drawings which, by way of i11us` tration, show ,preferred embodiments and .the principles thereof @and .'.wh'at I, now"Y consider .to be; theJaest .=.modes:in..which I have contemplated applyingithese principles. 'Other embodiments of the invention embodying the same .orvequiva lent principles :may Vloe Aused and structural changes mayfbe made Qas desired by thoseskilled inthe artmithdut departig'from the present inventon andathefpurview .ofltlie `appended claims. fIn., theJ drawings, Fig.- l :.is.-.a.n. elevational LView illustrating one form of. the;invention;

;1Fig.;2 is.-an..edgeeelevational view of the form ofthelneweclamping .device Awhich is vsh'own in Figsl; i Fig. 3= is f a. view on line '3-.3 in Fig. l 1` partly in seCtOn-.andpartIylin topplan; Fig. Asis; aview on =li`n`e 4'4 in Fig. 1 inrsectioneand .partly -in.top plan;

Fig/.5 islaidetailtviewlillustrating one use of the f form .of thenew clamp which is illustrated verily i in.: Figs. l to i5, inclusive;

:riliigssisa side. elevational lview illustrating a modicatioii oisth invention; 11mg. 7. .-is`.a-..top plan .view of the mod-ined form oftheinventiontvhich is hshown in lFig.`6 showl ing the .parts-,of .theclam'pin eiective or clamping position;

fdig: .8 gis-.a view-.on-line-'-B in Figc partly in section and partly in-plan Fig. 9 is a perspective view oia pivoted resilient clamping.-jaw, .whiehiis .embodied the form of thefinvention .illustrated in Fig'sl- 6 to 10 inclusive; VvFig. loisaviev/.ofctheform of the new clamp whiohnsashown in @FigswG to A10, inclusive', but showing-the.=pivotecl clamping jaw in releasedfor ineffective position; i4

ai'ig.: -1 his' af` detail view, partly in section, illus; trating.- .amdificationof 'a l partu of the forrn o f themewclarnp whicmis illustrated in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive; arid A' ".Eig. izdsaviewonlineI2-.l2 in Fig. llpartly in section and partly in top plan.

For purposes of disclosure, the invention is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 of the drawings as embodied in a clamping device generally indicated at 48, and is shown associated with and as used upon work 61 which may be of various characters and such, for example, as laminated strips of wood which may be clampingly held together by the new clamping device. The form o the new clamping device 4B which is illustrated in Figs. l to 5, inclusive, comprises a clamping arm which includes a supporting frame 48A. The supporting frame 48A is preferably formed of a pair of complementary relatively light structural elements in the form of metal stampings 52 and 53, Figs. 2 and 4, secured together at selected spaced points by suitable fastening elements such as the rivets 5 I As best shown in Fig` l of the drawings, the supporting frame 48A of the clamp is shaped to aord an arm which extends approximately right-angularly from and relative to the body thereof, this arm being afforded by integral parts of the stampings 52 and 53, and, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the structural members or metal -stampings 52 and 53 are, in this form of the invention, integrally joined, as by welding or the like, and are so formed or shaped as to provide a substantially cylindrical guide sleeve 54. This guide sleeve 54 is internally threaded for the reception of a threaded clamping screw 55 which works therethrough. The clamping screw 55 is provided at one end with a clamping jaw |00, which may be swivelly or otherwise mounted thereon, and at its other end the clamping screw 55 is provided with a knurled hand knob 51. Threaded upon the clamping screw 55, between the guide sleeve 54 and the hand knob 51, is a clamping or lock nut 56.

The form of the new clamping device which is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, includes a second clamp arm 60 which is pivotally and adjustably mounted upon the supporting frame 48A of the clamp. As best shown in Fig. 3, the pivotal arm 60 is preferably formed from a pair of spaced and relatively light structural elements Ior members such as metal stampings or the like and'which may be secured together in any suitable manner as, for example, in the manner which will be described presently.V It will be noted, in this connection, that the pivotal clamp arm 60 carries a clamping jaw 63 and that the clamping jaw 63 includes a portion which is arranged between and attached to the spaced structural elements and 56 of the pivotal arm 50 by means of a suitable fastening element such as the rivet 64. This rivet 64 also serves to secure the spaced structural elements 49 and 50 of the pivoted clamp arm 60 together. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3, the clamping jaw 63 has a knurled gripping surface 65 and this knurled gripping surface 65 while the opposite surface of the jaw 63 is provided with a transversely extending channel or recess 66, Fig. 5, for a reason which will be described hereinafter.

As shown in Fig. 3, the spaced structural elements 4B and 50 of the pivoted clamp arm 60 are provided with aligned openings adapted to be' registered with the openings in the supporting frame 48A, this alignment being accomplished by inserting the body of the relatively narrower supporting frame 48A between the parts 49 and of the pivoted clamp arm 60 to effect registry of the aforesaid openings. The pivotal connection between the clamp arm 60 and the supporting frame 48A of the other clamp arm may then be effected by inserting the pin 59 through the aligned openings in these two members.

The pivoted clamp arm 60 includes a manual operable operating lever 6| which is also preferably formed from a pair of relatively light structural elements such as the metal stampings |02 and |03 which may be secured together by any suitable fastening elements such as the rivets |04. The operating lever 6| is pivotally mounted upon the body of the clamp arm 60, as at 62, and includes a nose or cam portion |0| which is adapted to have camming engagement with the body of the supporting frame 48A as shown in Fig. 1.

In the use of the form of the invention which is illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5, inclusive, the arm 6| is rotated in a counterclockwise direction y from the position shown in Fig. 1 to a released lil) position wherein it extends in a right-hand direction from its pivot 62, and the clamping screw 55 may then be adjusted to bring the clamping jaw |00 carried thereby into engagement with one side or face of the work 61. This is accomplished by manipulating the hand knob 51, and when this adjustment is completed the clamping screw 55 and the clamping jaw |00 carried thereby may be secured or locked in the adjusted position by manipulating the clamping or lock nut 56 on the clamping screw 55 into engagement with the guide sleeve 54.

If the work is a flat-sided object, such as the work 61, the clamping jaw 63 may be rotated upon its pivot or mounting 64 so as to position or dispose the knurled surface 65 thereof for engagement with a flat surface of the work 61, opposite the clamping jaw |00, whereupon the thus positioned clamping jaw 63 may be moved into clamping engagement with the work 61 by rocking the lever 6| about its pivot 62 in a clockwise direction into the position in which the parts are shown in Fig. l. This movement of the lever 6| moves the nose or cam portion |0| thereof into camming engagement with the body or supporting frame of the clamp arm 48 and thereby rocks the clamp arm 60, about its pivot 59, upon and relative to the clamp arm or body 48A, thus moving the clamping jaw 65, which is carried by the clamp arm 60, into clamping engagement with the work 61.

However, in certain instances, it may be desirable to clamp a round or cylindrical object between the clamping jaws 63 and |00. In such instances, the clamping jaw 63 may be rotated upon its mounting 64 so as t0 bring the channeled or recessed surface 65 thereof into a position opposite or in clamping relationship with the clamping jaw |00. A round or cylindrical object, such as 68, Fig. 5, may then be disposed upon the channeled surface 61 of the clamping jaw 63 and the clamping jaw 63 moved into clamping engagement by manipulation of the hand lever 6|, in the manner hereinbefore described.

Another modication of the invention is shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, and in this form of the invention the two clampsupporting arms 14 and 19 are formed as integral parts of the frame or body 69 of the clamp which, in turn, is preferably formed of a pair of relatively light structural elements 10 and 1|, such as metal stampings or the like, which are fastened together by suitable fastening elements such as the rivets 12. In this form of the invention the two clamp-supporting arms 14 and 19 extend substantially or in general parallel to each other and the structural parts or elements 10 and 1| of the clamp-supportinaarms, .A arelv integrally inlined andshaped topi-Ovide asubstantially cylindrical guide sleeve 75. Which-is similar to the guide sleevell.

The guide .sleeve .15, .like the guide sleeve 54, isdnternallythreaded `and a-clamping screw 16 isthreadedtherethrough This clamping screw lsisprovidedfatone end .-witha knurled hand knob 'I8 and at its other end the clamping screw 'L6 `carriesa rclamping jaw IMA whichmay be SWl/lelly or otherwisemounted upon ,the clampinescreww. A-.knurled clamping or look nut'll is.,thneadedonto theclamping screw 16 between the guide sleeve 7.5` andthe knurled hand knob 7,8.

A hand lever 8o is pivotally mounted upon the clampfsilpporting-:arm15., yas at 8|, and between the structural elements or parts and H of the clamp-support-ingarm :19. vThe-lever I8 has a cam or nose portion 82 and this cam or nose portion-412 Pof the hand lever lBil is engageable with one surface of a resilient-clamping -member 85 which1isiapreferaolviformed.of-a piece of resi1ient flat metal spring stock slightly curved, as shown in Figs. 6, 9 and-l0. The resilient clamping member-85 is provided Yat one end with a pairjoflaterally exten-ding ears 8G and these ears B4 project intoopenings 83 whichr are provided Ainthe structural elements 'ill and'll of the claifnp,` and are inserted therein prior to` the time hestructuralelements-T and'l Aare riveted or otherwise-fastenedtogether, as at 12. y In this manner 'the resilient clamping Ymember 851s Apivotallyrnounted'upon and rela-tive to the clampsu-pporting arm.

As shown inFigs. 16, 7 ahLllO, the body of the clamp, B9 is provided with a handle or thuinbrest portionS which is formed as an integral eXtension ofthe structural elements 'I and 'Il which are, as shown in Fig. 13, preferably bent outwardly relative to each other so as to aord a relatively wide thumb rest of the new clamp, as will be explained presently.

The use and operation of the form of the new clamp shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusive, of the drawings, are as follows: The clamping jaw I06A may be positioned in engagement with one side of the work 86 by manipulating the hand knob 78 of the clamping screw 16, whereupon the clamping nut 11 may be adjusted into engagement with the guide sleeve 15. The hand lever 80 may then be pivoted from its normal or ineffective position, as in Fig. 10, into effective or clamping position as in Fig. 6. This may be accomplished by placing the thumb upon the thumb rest portion 13 and grasping the hand lever 86 with the same hand. When the hand lever 86 is thus moved l from its normal or ineffective position, as in Fig. 10, into effective or clamping position as in Fig. 6, the nose or cam portion 82 thereof bears or cams against one surface of the resilient clamping member 85 and urges the latter into clamping engagement with the work S6 at the side thereof which is opposite the clamping jaw WBA.

It will be noted, in this connection, that when the resilient clamping member 65 is in effective or clamping position it provides a relatively large bearing or clamping surface which is more effective than the relatively small clamping surface of the nose or cam portion 82 of the lever 80 would be if it engaged directly with the work inasmuch as there would be a tendency for such a relatively small cam surface as might be afforded by the nose or cam portion 82 of the lever til to slip relative to the work or to permit the work to slip relative thereto.

In order to release the parts of the form of the when using this form new .damp shown'inffies. 1.6 to 10..i1iclusive it is merely necessary .to manipulate the Clamping lever fromefieotivc or clamping position in Which it is shown in Fig, .6y Yinto ineffective position in .Whicliit is Shown in Fig. l0, without changing thel adjustment of the clamping screw 'Hand -itsclamping jaw IQUA upon or relative to the clamp-,supporting arm 14.

-A modied construction of one part of the form of theinvention which 4is shown in Figs. 6 to 10, inclusiyagis illustrated iniFigs. l1 and 1,2. This modifieation. issubstantiallyI similar to the form of ,the invention which isillustrated in Figs. 6

to 10, inclusive,;and parts thereof which correspond to parts the form of the invention which aire ,shown in Figs. l.6 .to 10, inclusive, have been given the 4`same `reference 4numerals followed vby theadditional reference character a.

In the vform oitheinveniion which issliown i-n-Figs.` 11and l2,internal threads are omitted from ,the.\,g,u,i,desle,eve for the clamping screw andthe guideleelle.- 15a is made somewhat larger, in diametenthanthe guide sleeve 'i5 for the reception of an internally threaded flanged metallic bushingl. This bushing .8l is inserted into the guide sleeve 75a and may .be secured to the= guide. sleeve 15a in any suitable manner asV by ,peeping one hange portion 68 thereof into aresultantindented portion of the guide Sleeve l5`aas shown at in Fig. 11. Except as thus described, however, .the modiiication which is illustrated in Figs. 11 and 12 is substantially similar in 4constructie11.use,and operation to the form of the invention .which is illustrated in Figs. 6to -1.0, .inclusiva andhence need not be described. further detail.

It will be noted that in all of the several forms thereof which are illustrated in the drawings the pivoted clamp arm and the clamping jaw carried or controlled thereby, may be manipulated into and out of effective or clamping position relative to and without disturbing the position or adjustment of the other clamp arm and the clamping screw and clamping jaw carried thereby. This enables the operator or user of the new clamp to manipulate the same and to shift the clamp upon or relative to the work with and by the use of only one hand, leaving the other hand free for necessary work.

It will thus be seen from the foregoing description, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, that the present invention provides a new and improved clamping device and accomplishes its intended objects and has the desirable advantages and characteristics including those hereinbefore pointed out and others which are inherent in the invention.

While I have illustrated and described selected bodiments of my invention, it is to be understood that these are capable of variation and modification and I therefore do not wish to be limited to the precise details set forth but desire to avail myself of such changes and alterations as fall within the purview of the following claims.

I claim:

1. A clamp comprising a frame embodying a pair of relatively light metal stamping elements rigidly connected together, said stamping elements terminating in upper and lower supporting arms with said lower arm arranged in spaced relation, a manually operable clamping screw mounted in said upper supporting arm, a clamping jaw secured to an end of said clamping screw, a resilient clamping jaw having one end disposed between said metal stamping elements at the inner end of the lower supporting arm and extending in parallelism and overlying the lower supporting arm, said resilient clamping jaw provided with means extending through said metal stamping elements for pivotally connecting said clamping jaw to said frame, a lever pivotally mounted between said metal stamping elements at the outer end of the lower supporting arm and in axial alignment with said clamping screw and positioned beneath the free end of said resilient clamping jaw, a cam formed on said lever and engageable with the free end of said resilient clamping jaw for moving said jaw into clamping relationship with the rst mentioned clamping jaw upon the actuation of said lever.

2. A clamp comprising a frame embodying a pair of light metal stamping elements rigidly connected together, said stamping elements terminating in upper and lower arms with said lower arm arranged in spaced relation, the metal stamping elements constituting the upper arm being formed to provide an internally threaded guide sleeve, a manually operable clamping screw disposed in said guide sleeve, a clamping jaw secured to an end of said clamping screw, a

resilient clamping jaw having one end disposed between said metal stamping elements at the inner end of the lower supporting arm and extending in parallelism and overlying the lower supporting arm, said resilient clamping jaw provided with means extending through said metal stamping elements for pivotally connecting said clamping jaw to said frame, a lever pivotally mounted between said metal stamping elements at the outer end of the lower supporting arm and in axial alignment with said clamping screw and positioned beneath the free end of said resilient clamping jaw, a cam formed on said lever and engageable with the free end of said resilient clamping jaw for moving said jaw into clamping relationship with the rst mentioned clamping jaw upon the actuation of said lever, said stamping elements having projections formed thereon intermediate the upper and lower arms and arranged in spaced relation to dene a thumb rest portion whereby said lever may be manipulated by the operator of said clamp by placing the thumb of the one hand upon said thumb rest portion and manipulating said lever with the fingers of the same hand.

ANTHONY M. SASGEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 757,142 Parson Apr. 12, 1904 809,882 Wrigley Jan, 9, 1906 1,319,717 Marbach Oct. 28, 1919 1,490,063 Power Apr. 8, 1924 1,506,481 Graffam Aug. 26, 1924 1,519,187 Braley Dec. 16, 1924 1,952,453 Mueller Mar. 27, 1934 2,255,320 Kotchi Sept. 9, 1941 2,333,071 Jannisse et a1 Oct. 26, 1943 2,343,699 Petersen Mar. 7, 1944 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 463,153 Germany July 23, 1928 

